Why is there an increase in SENers? Pt 1
Before I start, I will use the term Nurodivergent and SEN for all kinds of cognitive, sensory and motor difficulties.
In these next two posts I want to explore and provide a different view of the SEN world. Our society is based on fixing or accommodating the ‘problem,’ rather than asking the question, what is this increase telling us about us? Even from a historical perspective, the position has always been negative that something needs to be fixed. Throughout this post, I want you to come from a place of curiosity, a place that asks what can we learn from the SENers?
We will start with the possible reasons why there is an increase?
Where are we now and the trend
Statistics:
Taken from: Government Sources (1)
Government source (2)
From the current data provided by the government the trend is set and it is going up. EHCPs (Educational Health Care Plans) were introduced in 2014 that provide students with additional support. Read more about them here. There are increasing demands on schools, family environments and society to provide some sort of support for these children.
A way of looking at this, is trying to fit something into a box, that is resisting. Why it is resisting, is anyone's guess or research. So let’s look at this now. What are the possible reasons why there is an increase:
Finding the why
Here I want to briefly touch on the reasons why there is an increase in neurodivergent people.
Diet
We as a society are not eating a natural diet. Food’s have been processed to the extreme that even the food that you don’t think has been processed, has been. From low fat, to Highly Processed Food (HPF), to food genetics to fast food. We have to acknowledge we are not drinking milk straight out of a grass fed (non pesticide) cow. Everything we put into our body, has an effect on the gut, which has in our blood stream that has an effect on brain connectivity. Research done by Dr. Natasha Cambel in her book Gut and Psychology syndrome is a brilliant starting point to look into this further.
Screen time and attention
When the CEOs of certain social media platforms and gaming companies say that they themselves don’t let their own children play or use certain devices and games, we should be listening. A documentary on Netflix came out called the Social Dilemma in 2020 highlighted this fact. Why then:
Do 49% of children aged 0-2 years old interact with screen devices
We have massive interactive whiteboards in the classroom
Globally on average people spend over 6 hours on a screen a day
Long are the days when the TV used to be rolled into the classroom once a term. Now the instant access to Social Media and shortening attention spans have an effect.
When a Billionaire says less screen & no-meds
On a podcast with Joe Rogtan (episode No.2201) , Chamath Palihapitiya said one of his sons was diagnosed with ADHD and between him and his ex wife they said, no medication. They set rules in their house to limit the amount of screen time the boy had and saw the effects. Their son’s attainment, effort and behaviour improved.
I realise this is anecdotal evidence but it highlights the fact that even billionaires are affected by this and with all the money in the world, screen time affects us all.
Genetics & Environmental
It’s in the family. So many parents worry that when they send their children to school, their child will struggle like they did, because it is in the family. Maybe. The discussion between nature and nurture is one that has been discussed from IQ, sports and diseases. (3)
Even linking diet to this argument, one can say it is the parent’s diet that passes onto their offspring and populates their gut flora which has an impact on digestion and nutrient uptake in the body.
Sir Ken Robbin fitting into the box
If you haven't watched or read my views on Sir Ken, then please do so here. He argues that we are forcing children into a box, and if they don’t fit into this one size fits all approach we label them as dyslexia, autistic or adhd to name a few and we try to ‘fix’ it.
He brilliantly highlights the increase of medication to fix the problem and proposes changes to how we measure education.
Measurement of education
Maybe our measurements of education are limiting and if someone can’t work within the limits they are given the label of an SENer.
For example: Do you know the phrases 2 and 3 tricky words? Well if you don’t know them by year 3 (for sure!) you are behind and probably have dyslexia.
Better diagnosis and awareness
This is a positive thing! My uncle struggled like hell when he was in school, he dropped out when he was 14 years old like many did back in the day and started work. Where would he be now if there was more compassion and awareness in his schooling days?
Giving a label
Are we too quick to give labels to students? Giving a label can make an excuse or it can help provide better resources for the student. You tell me what you think?
Final thoughts
The next post will be exciting and thought provoking. We will be flipping these questions around to see and ask ourselves, what we can learn from the increase. Rather than putting blame or justifying a reason from the position of ‘we’d rather not.’
What have I missed here? Please message or comment and tell me what you think. I want to form a community here, so parents, teachers and the SENer can share their experiences.
References
